IMMIGRANT WORKERS CALL FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 ECONOMIC BOYCOTT

IMMIGRANT WORKERS CALL FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 ECONOMIC BOYCOTT
By Mike Rhodes
December 10, 2003

Hundreds of immigrant workers, their families, friends and allies marched in Fresno today demanding drivers licences, justice, and an economic boycott on December 12. Many of the marchers, following a large Mexican marching band, beat pots and pans to express their outrage and frustration with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger policies which keep them impoverished and oppressed. This is how the people celebrated Human Rights Day in Fresno California.

“Hey, Ho, Arnold Schwarzenegger has to go!” the crowd chanted on their way to the State building. The San Joaquin Coalition for Immigrant/Workers Rights called on participants to support a Statewide boycott of all economic activity. The boycott is on Friday, December 12, 2003. Everyone was encouraged to:

NOT PURCHASE GAS
NOT MAKE ANY BANK DEPOSITS
NOT MAKE LONG DISTANCE (INTERNATIONAL) PHONE CALLS
NOT SEND THE KIDS TO SCHOOL
NOT DO ANY SHOPPING
NOT GO TO WORK
NOT PATRONIZE ANY RESTAURANTS
NOT SEND MONEY, MONEY ORDERS OR CHECKS
NOT GO TO PARKS OR USE ANY COST RELATING RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES LIKE MOVIES.

Several upcoming local events were also announced at the rally:

Saturday, December 13
12 Noon
MARCH TO BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! March from the River Park Shopping Center to the Peace Corner of Blackstone and Shaw. At the end of the march, sign a giant Christmas card to George W. Bush calling for him to bring the troops home now. The march begins in front of River Park at the corner of Blackstone & El Paso Avenues, and stays on Blackstone all the way to Shaw. We show our support for the troops by working to bring them home. Download fliers in English and Spanish from http://www.peacefresno.org . For more information, call Peace Fresno at (559) 487-2515

Saturday, December 13
1-3 PM
Know your rights when confronted with police officers. Free workshop: Immanuel Church of the Nazarene, 245 W Myers in Fresno (between California and Kerney off of Thorne). Learn about:

* Your rights when confronted by the Fresno Police Department
* How to file a complaint against the Fresno Police Department
* What your community is doing to organize for an independent police auditor

For more information contact National Action Network, Ph. (559) 265-3652 Fax: (559) 266-5828 xyfloyd [at] aol.com

The march and vigil on December 10 was organized by El Comite NO NOS VAMOS in honor of the declaration of Human rights to combat the on going human rights abuses in the world and here at home by the United States Government. Call Comite No Nos Vamos at (559) 498-6033 for more information.